BomBardened

BomBardened

In BomBardened, Eric Barden, a retired Deputy Chief of the Seattle Police Department, and Amy Barden, Chief of Seattle’s new third public safety department, come together—not just as professionals, but as husband and wife—to tackle some of the most pressing issues in public service and community safety and health. Eric, the enforcer with decades of boots-on-the-ground experience, and Amy, the champion of compassion and crisis response, take a constructively critical approach to big questions: Do we need more enforcement or better interventions? Is the criminal justice system designed to punish or correct? What does compassion actually look like? Why do we keep doing what doesn’t work? And why does it feel like no one’s getting it completely right? Every episode features hard-hitting debates, real-world insights, and guest experts who bring fresh takes and bold ideas. It’s not just talk; it’s a call to action for anyone who cares about creating safer, smarter communities and a return to civil discourse. So, if you’re tired of political rhetoric and excuses and ready for real talk about the messy intersection of accountability and compassion, tune in to BomBardened. You might not always agree, but you’ll definitely think. The views, information or opinions expressed on the BomBardened Podcast are solely the personal views of the individuals involved and do not represent the views of any third party. Where guests appear on the Podcast, the views expressed by such guests are solely their own. The Podcast does not accept responsibility for the views of its guests and their appearance on the Podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.None of the guests or contributors to the BomBardened Podcast will be held responsible for your use of the information contained therein.

  1. 12/23/2025

    Ep 20: Long Game Grinders: Love, Recovery & the Fight for Our Most Vulnerable Youth | Johnny Ohta

    In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Johnny Ohta, a legendary youth recovery advocate and longtime leader at Ryther, whose life and work have helped shape how Seattle responds to youth addiction, homelessness, and fentanyl. Johnny shares his deeply personal journey—from growing up amid violence, addiction, and incarceration to finding recovery, purpose, and a calling to walk alongside young people in crisis. With raw honesty, Johnny unpacks what real recovery looks like in the age of fentanyl, why one-size-fits-all solutions fail, and how “long game” relationships rooted in compassion, accountability, and presence can save lives. He challenges false binaries between harm reduction and recovery, emphasizes the power of exposure, connection, and love, and explains why investing in young people—before it’s too late—changes everything. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, adaptation, and what it truly means to care for young people when the stakes are life and death. Learn more about Ryther and youth recovery services at https://ryther.org/

    1h 8m

  2. 12/09/2025

    Ep19: Rising From Rock Bottom: Recovery, Resilience & Rewriting Your Story | Ellyse Bracken

    In this episode, Eric and Amy talk with Ellyse Bracken, Executive Director of Bridges, about her powerful journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a leader in youth recovery. Ellyse shares how structure, accountability, and peer support helped her rebuild her life—and why teens need community, not harm-reduction messaging, to thrive. Her work with Bridges and Seattle’s Alternative Peer Group is transforming what recovery looks like for young people. Learn more at https://www.seattleapg.com/

    51 min

  3. 11/25/2025

    Ep18: Beyond the Headlines: Courage, Consequences, and Speaking Hard Truths | Brandi Kruse

    In Part 2 of their conversation, Eric and Amy Barden continue their deep dive with independent journalist Brandi Kruse, exploring what happens after you choose to break away from traditional media—and don’t look back. Brandi opens up about the personal and professional consequences of pushing against narratives, the cost of telling uncomfortable truths, and what it means to stay grounded when criticism gets loud. Together, they examine the evolving role of independent journalism, why honest dialogue is worth protecting, and how integrity becomes your compass when the world wants you to choose a side.

    41 min

  4. 11/11/2025

    Ep17: Breaking the Script: Truth, Trust, and Independent Journalism with Brandi Kruse

    In this episode, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with independent journalist Brandi Kruse to explore what happens when you step outside traditional media and speak freely. Brandi shares her journey from newsroom reporter to independent voice, reflecting on the challenges of maintaining public trust in a divided media landscape. Together, they unpack what honesty, transparency, and accountability look like when the microphones are always on—and why telling the truth can sometimes mean standing alone.

    39 min

  5. 10/28/2025

    Ep16: Measuring Justice: Redefining Success in Reform with Lisa Daugaard

    In this continuation of their conversation with MacArthur Fellow and justice reform leader Lisa Daugaard, Eric and Amy Barden explore how communities can define—and measure—real success in diversion and public safety. Lisa discusses what’s working, what’s changing, and how the Purpose Dignity Action and LEAD programs continue to evolve through constant learning and collaboration. Together, they examine how shifting from punishment to care can create safer, more resilient communities—and what it takes to prove that change truly works.

    46 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Ep15: On Justice Reform: Alternatives to Incarceration & Making Safer Communities | Lisa Daugaard

    In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Lisa Daugaard—MacArthur Fellow, co-founder of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, and longtime advocate for criminal justice reform. Lisa shares how her career as a public defender and activist led to pioneering new models that divert people away from jails and courts and toward community-based care. The conversation moves through Lisa’s personal journey, the systemic failures that keep communities trapped in cycles of incarceration, and the practical solutions she and her colleagues are building to replace punishment with restoration. Eric and Amy bring in their own experiences from law enforcement and nonprofit work, creating a candid, often challenging dialogue about safety, accountability, and what true reform looks like on the ground. This episode is a thoughtful and unflinching look at how communities can reimagine justice—offering listeners not just critique but a path forward toward healing, safety, and dignity.

    40 min

  7. 09/30/2025

    Ep14: On Resilience: BLM, HIV, Addiction and Recovery | Deaunte Damper

    In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Deaunte Damper—community leader, activist, and the first LGBTQIA+ Chair for the Seattle NAACP. Deaunte shares his personal journey of resilience and advocacy, from navigating the challenges of being a Black queer man to driving change at the intersections of race, identity, and justice. The conversation moves from deeply personal experiences of stigma and survival to broader issues of systemic inequality, addiction, and the urgent need for safe, affirming spaces. Eric and Amy weave in their own perspectives from law enforcement and nonprofit leadership, creating a raw and layered dialogue that highlights both struggle and possibility. This episode is a powerful exploration of courage, identity, and leadership in the face of adversity—offering listeners not only perspective but also hope for what true community healing can look like.

    56 min

  8. 09/16/2025

    Ep13: Rethinking Homelessness: Policy, Practice, and Hope | Dr. Robert Marbut

    In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Dr. Robert Marbut, a nationally recognized expert on homelessness policy and intervention. With decades of experience advising cities and serving as the Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Dr. Marbut brings deep insight into why traditional approaches are failing and what needs to change. The conversation explores the complexities of addiction, mental health, and housing policy, while challenging the assumptions that often drive public debate. Eric and Amy bring their own lived and professional perspectives into the dialogue—Eric from his decades in law enforcement and Amy from her work in nonprofit leadership—creating a rich, nuanced discussion about what real solutions might look like. This episode is an honest, sometimes uncomfortable, but deeply necessary exploration of homelessness in America—and how compassion and accountability can coexist in lasting reform.

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

In BomBardened, Eric Barden, a retired Deputy Chief of the Seattle Police Department, and Amy Barden, Chief of Seattle’s new third public safety department, come together—not just as professionals, but as husband and wife—to tackle some of the most pressing issues in public service and community safety and health. Eric, the enforcer with decades of boots-on-the-ground experience, and Amy, the champion of compassion and crisis response, take a constructively critical approach to big questions: Do we need more enforcement or better interventions? Is the criminal justice system designed to punish or correct? What does compassion actually look like? Why do we keep doing what doesn’t work? And why does it feel like no one’s getting it completely right? Every episode features hard-hitting debates, real-world insights, and guest experts who bring fresh takes and bold ideas. It’s not just talk; it’s a call to action for anyone who cares about creating safer, smarter communities and a return to civil discourse. So, if you’re tired of political rhetoric and excuses and ready for real talk about the messy intersection of accountability and compassion, tune in to BomBardened. You might not always agree, but you’ll definitely think. The views, information or opinions expressed on the BomBardened Podcast are solely the personal views of the individuals involved and do not represent the views of any third party. Where guests appear on the Podcast, the views expressed by such guests are solely their own. The Podcast does not accept responsibility for the views of its guests and their appearance on the Podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.None of the guests or contributors to the BomBardened Podcast will be held responsible for your use of the information contained therein.

Information

  • Creator
    BomBardened
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright BomBardened
  • Show Website
    BomBardened